Mary Steenburgen

Mary Nell Steenburgen is an American actress. She won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress and Golden Globe Award for Best Supporting Actress for playing the role of Lynda Dummar in Jonathan Demmes 1980 film Melvin and Howard.

Steenburgen was born in Newport, Arkansas, to Nellie Mae , a schoolboard secretary, and Maurice Steenburgen , a freighttrain conductor who worked at the Missouri Pacific Railroad. She has a sister, Nancy Kelly, a teacher. After graduating from high school, Steenburgen enrolled at Hendrix College to study drama. She subsequently traveled to Dallas, Texas under the suggestion of her drama teacher to audition for a slot in New York Citys Neighborhood Playhouse, which she won.

Source: Wikipedia